Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations

NEW YORK - Pacific Islands Leaders and the Government of Italy met
on Wednesday on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly,
to reaffirm the value and success of the Pacific -Italian
relationship as "a model partnership."

The meeting was co-chaired by his Excellency the President of
Nauru, the Honourable Baron Waqa M.P. and His Excellency Foreign
Minister Paolo Gentiloni representing the Prime Minister of Italy
who was absent due to ongoing recovery efforts in the village of
Amatrice following a devastating earthquake that killed 300 people
and left countless homeless.

Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers , High-level
officials and Ambassadors representing the twelve Pacific Small
Islands Developing States (PSIDS) were joined by a delegation from
Italy.

The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of the
partnership established a decade ago and to exchange views on how
to strengthen the same.

President Waqa congratulated Italy on its successful campaign for
a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in
2017, and highlighted the important role that the Council will play
in addressing the security dimensions of Climate Change.

"The timing of Italy's election is opportune," noted the
President, as "the security dimensions of the challenges faced by
Pacific Islands have never been greater…. The multiple and
compounding impacts of climate change increasingly demand that the
UN System 'connect the dots' to respond to issues outside of
traditional silos."

Other PSIDS Leaders commended Italy for providing assistance,
especially in the areas of sustainable energy and climate
adaptation.

This was the first high-level meeting between PSIDS and Italy in
New York. The parties agreed that the meeting was a success, and
should be continued in the future.